T-Swift: THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT

[tony.parente]

https://static.stereogum.com/uploads/2020/07/Screen-Shot-2020-07-23-at-8.24.01-AM-1595507076.png

folklore

Tracklist:
"The 1"
"Cardigan"
"The Last Great American Dynasty"
"Exile" (featuring Bon Iver)
"My Tears Ricochet"
"Mirrorball"
"Seven"
"August"
"This Is Me Trying"
"Illicit Affairs"
"Invisible String"
"Mad Woman"
"Epiphany"
"Betty"
"Peace"
"Hoax"

bonus track
"The Lakes"

[eversonpoe]

1286303136039276544

[tony.parente]

1286303136039276544
Bon Iver is on it, and Aaron Dessner from The National co wrote like, the whole thing so this has GOAT taylor record written all over it.

[eversonpoe]

Bon Iver is on it, and Aaron Dessner from The National co wrote like, the whole thing so this has GOAT taylor record written all over it.

but like...i actually wanna hear her do atmospheric black metal. let's face it, though, carly rae jepsen would be more likely to do that ;)

[chuckrh]

Next Chicks record will probably sound like it. Bleh!

[thefragile_jake]

but like...i actually wanna hear her do atmospheric black metal. let's face it, though, carly rae jepsen would be more likely to do that ;)

Well Carly at least has fans in the Swans camp.
(https://i.redd.it/t7odowf3bgl31.jpg)

[richardp]

Damn this is pretty fucking good? Sounds mature, doesn’t sound forced, and her voice totally works with The Nationals sound.

[Erneuert]

I’m looking forward to learning the main singles off by heart from unintended car radio listening sessions.

[tony.parente]

This is her best work by miles. Holy fuck this is so good. And exile? Jesus

[thefragile_jake]

Enjoying this so far. It's quiet, reflective and doesn't contain any obnoxious plastic pop singles like her other records usually try to squeeze in.

Is the kind of music she wants to be doing probably? This feels like when a director is allowed to do their passion project after doing a major blockbuster for the studio ... I.E. her 2019 album with it's insane marketing roll out.

EDIT: Mirrorball and This is Me Trying are standouts so far.

EDIT EDIT: Richard is right, her voice does really work with that National sound. Uh oh. Am I going to buy one of the different versions of the vinyl now?

[tony.parente]

EDIT: Mirrorball and This is Me Trying are standouts so far.

Ironically Mirrorball is the only track that didn't do anything for me on the record



EDIT EDIT: Richard is right, her voice does really work with that National sound. Uh oh. Am I going to buy one of the different versions of the vinyl now?

I got the gold "real" album cover version, but the turquoise "in the weeds" version is so pretty.

[thefragile_jake]

Ironically Mirrorball is the only track that didn't do anything for me on the record

It's melody is more obvious, but I liked the production a lot. Though I kind of laughed when she did the Justin Vernon vocal melody hiccup on "Epiphany."


I got the gold "real" album cover version, but the turquoise "in the weeds" version is so pretty.

I've spent too much on records lately, but I'd grab the "running like water" or "clandestine meetings" version if I jumped on any.

[richardp]

Woke up, put it on again and it all still sticks. I'm very stoked for Taylor for seemingly finally getting to make the album she's been wanting to make for a while.

I'll take a whole album of Mirrorball too. Never expected to hear Taylor do a 90s shoegaze dreampop track but here we are.

[eachpassingphase]

I wasn't interested in Taylor until I heard "Style" which I think is maybe one of the best pop songs I've ever heard. The rest of 1989 was pretty strong as well, barring "Shake it Off" and "Bad Blood" which are both songs that I hate with a passion. I loved "Delicate" from Reputation, as well as the title track from Lover but I still wasn't 100% on board because I felt like her albums weren't consistent enough for me.

This album though? Is wonderful from start to finish. I've listened to it twice now and I haven't found one single song that I don't like. I'm really, really impressed. Lots of her clever wordplay without any of the cheesiness that she sometimes falls into, charming storytelling and a sound that is very well suited to her voice. It sounds sincere, thoughtful and timeless.

The world might be going to hell, but the ladies are coming in strong with the music releases in 2020. Between this, and the records from Hayley Williams, Pheobe Bridgers and Fiona Apple I being blessed in an otherwise shitty season.

[Jinsai]

the music sounds interesting, but I can't stand her style of singing... her voice bothers me. There's some good moments on this, which I didn't expect to say. I actually really like the song "epiphany."

[allegate]

I wonder if the stores knew it was coming? I mean HDTracks just sent me an email saying "here's the new album and also 20% off!"

[eachpassingphase]

I wonder if the stores knew it was coming? I mean HDTracks just sent me an email saying "here's the new album and also 20% off!"

I'm not sure but I wonder that too, because I'm on a bunch of pop boards/subreddits and there was some frustration with how Spotify had it up first and the other streaming services took a little longer to get it up. So i'm not sure if it was a supposed to be a surprise release or if there was just confusion about how it was supposed to drop/

[Jon]

I'm not sure but I wonder that too, because I'm on a bunch of pop boards/subreddits and there was some frustration with how Spotify had it up first and the other streaming services took a little longer to get it up. So i'm not sure if it was a supposed to be a surprise release or if there was just confusion about how it was supposed to drop/

AmazonMusic has a TuneCore turnaround of 1-3 business days
Spotify is 5 business days
iTunes/Apple Music is 5 full days
Google Play is 1-2 weeks

She could have theoretically turned the album in as late as the Monday of the week it was released.

[tony.parente]

https://headlineplanet.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Taylor-Swift-Evermore-Photo-758x758.jpeg
evermore out at midnight

1. "Willow"
2. "Champagne Problems"
3. "Gold Rush"
4. "'Tis the Damn Season"
5. "Tolerate It"
6. "No Body, No Crime" (featuring Haim)
7. "Happiness"
8. "Dorothea"
9. "Coney Island" (featuring the National)
10. "Ivy"
11. "Cowboy Like Me"
12. "Long Story Short"
13. "Marjorie"
14. "Closure"
15. "Evermore" (featuring Bon Iver)


Deluxe
16. "Right Where You Left Me"
17. "It's Time to Go"


Shits gonna slap guys

[october_midnight]

Not inaccurate.

https://scontent.fcxh2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/131071300_970787856781682_8830184516845855167_n.pn g?_nc_cat=107&ccb=2&_nc_sid=ae9488&_nc_ohc=2b7sVt7NvJ8AX_RUSun&_nc_ht=scontent.fcxh2-1.fna&oh=6f2156965abdebcc91e62b875cc76917&oe=5FF6F81E

[tony.parente]

Not inaccurate.

https://scontent.fcxh2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/131071300_970787856781682_8830184516845855167_n.pn g?_nc_cat=107&ccb=2&_nc_sid=ae9488&_nc_ohc=2b7sVt7NvJ8AX_RUSun&_nc_ht=scontent.fcxh2-1.fna&oh=6f2156965abdebcc91e62b875cc76917&oe=5FF6F81E
Translation: "Taylor Swift shouldn't write music in the style that I prefer."

I mean she's been writing the folklore style stuff literally since the first record. She's not taking any money or work away from anyone just by writing music.

EDIT: The more I think about this inaccurate gatekeepy bitter ass tweet the more this could apply to any other bitter inaccurate gatekeepy ass music related comment.

Example inaccurate gatekeepy bitter ass comment:

"T R**nor and A R**s cosplaying film composers while the real film composers are destitute and unable to work/survive."

[richardp]

Folklore is far away the best thing TSwift has ever done, and I am for one am super fucking excited to be getting a second half to this album cycle.

[SchwarzerAbt]

Example inaccurate gatekeepy bitter ass comment:

"T R**nor and A R**s cosplaying film composers while the real film composers are destitute and unable to work/survive."

When a famous artist adapts your genre, shouldn't that raise awareness and outside interest for your style instead of making you unemployed? I think it's nothing to fear, especially not for folk/indie artists.

[tony.parente]

When a famous artist adapts your genre, shouldn't that raise awareness and outside interest for your style instead of making you unemployed? I think it's nothing to fear, especially not for folk/indie artists.
High tide raises all ships. Unless you're a bitter, angry ship who punches holes in its own sails out of spite.

[Demogorgon]

People seem to forget that Taylor was doing country music when she started out, before she switched to mainstream pop. This is a lot more like a return to form, honestly.

[caca]

Folklore is far away the best thing TSwift has ever done, and I am for one am super fucking excited to be getting a second half to this album cycle.

This. If you had told me six months ago that one of my favorite albums of the year would be a Taylor Swift record, I would have laughed my ass off. And yet, here we are. Now there's a possibility that she could wind up releasing TWO of my favorite albums of the year. We'll find out in a matter of hours.

2020, you're one crazy goddamn son of a bitch.

[caca]

I'm about halfway through my first listen. Yup... this is great.

[richardp]

Damn this one might be even better than Folklore. Fuck it gurl, go get you a trilogy.

[ltrandazzo]

Not inaccurate.

https://scontent.fcxh2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/131071300_970787856781682_8830184516845855167_n.pn g?_nc_cat=107&ccb=2&_nc_sid=ae9488&_nc_ohc=2b7sVt7NvJ8AX_RUSun&_nc_ht=scontent.fcxh2-1.fna&oh=6f2156965abdebcc91e62b875cc76917&oe=5FF6F81E

Zola needs to work harder to make an album that doesn't put me to sleep.

Anyway, I like this and think it's great she named her lead single after my dog.

[onthewall2983]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUGVuqakYtE

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/taylorswift13/status/1359854050544615425?s=20

I'm kind of interested to see what she's actually doing with this. I mean, to 'lose' a significant chunk of your catalog to someone who named their company after a Velvet Revolver song? (Yes that's two VR references from me in one day, I know)

[richardp]

I'm also really interested to see where these projects go. I am not a fan of the old original country Taylor shit at all, but having everything be reworked through a new more experienced lense could be really interesting. Especially once she gets up to Red and 1989.

[tony.parente]

I'm also really interested to see where these projects go. I am not a fan of the old original country Taylor shit at all, but having everything be reworked through a new more experienced lense could be really interesting. Especially once she gets up to Red and 1989.
I have a childlike level of excitement for Red and the rumored original 11 minute version of all too well that exists out there somewhere.

[caca]

This. If you had told me six months ago that one of my favorite albums of the year would be a Taylor Swift record, I would have laughed my ass off.

Congrats to the much-deserved album of the batshit crazy year that was 2020.

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/ThatsMauvelous/status/1380572708879089674

This is an amazing thread on Taylor and what she did.

[Erneuert]

https://twitter.com/ThatsMauvelous/status/1380572708879089674

This is an amazing thread on Taylor and what she did.

This part made me smile:



(https://mobile.twitter.com/ThatsMauvelous)



Mauv


@ThatsMauvelous


(https://mobile.twitter.com/ThatsMauvelous)
·
Apr 10 (https://mobile.twitter.com/ThatsMauvelous/status/1380581470406905865)









If Swift re-records all her old albums and exercises her songwriter rights to effectively remove the old versions from the market, that means someone's 9-figure investment in her back catalog is completely fucked.

[tony.parente]

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0011/4651/9637/products/DDV-NEW_800x.png?v=1661743879
Midnights - 10/21/2022

Not sure if there is going to be an actual tracklisting or if the album cover tracklisting is final. But either way, new TS!

[raptors661]

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0011/4651/9637/products/DDV-NEW_800x.png?v=1661743879
Midnights - 10/21/2022

Not sure if there is going to be an actual tracklisting or if the album cover tracklisting is final. But either way, new TS!

She keeps her track listings secret and kinda makes a game out of revealing the titles. It's a good way to build anticipation.

Also excited that it's only 13 songs. My one gripe with hers is that she tends to just throw every song on the album. Sometimes they can feel a tad too long. 1989 was 13 tracks and I consider that album to be her best.

[tony.parente]

Midnights is good, not amazing. On the same level as Folklore IMO.

Weird comparison but I think Midnights is Taylors Hesitation Marks, familiar but kinda different. Every song sorta blends in together and they all sorta have the same skeleton.

[GulDukat]

https://twitter.com/taylorswift13/status/1359854050544615425?s=20

I'm kind of interested to see what she's actually doing with this. I mean, to 'lose' a significant chunk of your catalog to someone who named their company after a Velvet Revolver song? (Yes that's two VR references from me in one day, I know)

Velvet Revolver?

[allegate]

Velvet Revolver?

yep. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Machine_Records)


He formed the label in 2005, naming it "Big Machine" after a 2004 song by the band Velvet Revolver.[4]

[chuckrh]

I respect that Taylor has talent, just not my cup of tea. I'm older than dirt, haha. Now get off my lawn....! ;)

[GulDukat]

yep. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Machine_Records)
Wow, had no idea.

[GulDukat]

I respect that Taylor has talent, just not my cup of tea. I'm older than dirt, haha. Now get off my lawn....! ;)
She's not someone I would listen to, but I get why people like her. She's hardly the worst pop act out there.

[richardp]

Really enjoying this. Think it might be her best album since 1989.

[cdm]

Tay typically isn't my thing but I'm not hating this.

Edit: Bejeweled is dope. Edit2: elements of it remind me of Hope We Can Again.

[allegro]

That John Mayer sure does get around.

(BDE)

[eversonpoe]

That John Mayer sure does get around.

(BDE)

more like racist dick energy:

https://www.salon.com/2010/02/11/john_mayer_douchebag/

[allegro]

more like racist dick energy:

https://www.salon.com/2010/02/11/john_mayer_douchebag/

Ewwwww, what the fuck?! Ew!

https://amp.theguardian.com/music/2010/feb/11/john-mayer-playboy-interview

Taylor Swift shouldn’t have dated him.

Nobody should date him.

[M1ke]

I listened to this today for the first time and I really enjoyed it. It feels like a departure from her previous material, without being so different that it doesn't sound like her.

It's a great album.

[allegate]

I mean, it's not as bad as Adele's multitude of vinyl versions but it's still annoying.

https://imgs.capitalfm.com/images/327989?crop=16_9&width=660&relax=1&signature=OYV-zAm4gmZBo2GAVyakDRyndqM=

[richardp]

The 3AM version is wild, because the bonus tracks don't feel like bonus tracks but like an genuine extension/second disc to the album. I've listened to this 3 more times today and it honestly keeps getting better with each listen. I did not expect to like this album anywhere near as much as I am.

[tony.parente]

So Taylor released Folklore for the 4th time in a row. She's turning into Cigarettes After Sex by sonically releasing the same album over and over and over again.